Senior center provides dignity, essential services to older residents

Wasilla Area Seniors Inc. has been a vital resource for seniors living in the central Mat-Su for nearly 50 years.

Population growth has fueled an ever-increasing demand for services since the senior center opened in 1981. In addition to providing 218 housing units in eight buildings, WASI also offers a variety of options to help meet the day-to-day needs of the area’s senior population and enhance their independent living.

Nutritional support is supplied through weekday congregate meals at the center. This is supplemented by the Meals on Wheels program, which offers five hot meals and two frozen meals for the weekend to homebound seniors.

Marlene Munsell, CEO since 2022, said it’s all part of WASI’s mission.

“We want to enable seniors living in the Mat-Su Valley to live as independently as possible for as long as possible,” she said.

That goes beyond nutritional support. WASI also hosts events, classes, and community gatherings to help combat loneliness and encourage social engagement.

Grants have become an important part of offsetting operational expenses. The nonprofit Mat-Su Health Foundation, which provides grants to other area nonprofits, has been a leading supporter of senior services in all corners of the community. The Health Foundation’s commitment to WASI is evident in its almost unbroken streak of annual funding since the Foundation began awarding grants to local nonprofits in 2008. Most recently, WASI was the recipient of two separate grants totaling $126,848.

In October, WASI was awarded $76,848 to purchase a new bus that is fully compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act. Munsell said the bus has been essential in helping transport seniors to and from congregate lunches, shopping trips, and other activities that support their independence and social connection.

The second grant, for $50,000, came in December. That funding filled a critical need at the center – a maintenance truck that provides snow removal and supports four-season campus operations and upkeep of buildings and grounds.

“Reliable transportation allows seniors to remain engaged in the community, access nutritious meals, and reduce feelings of isolation,” Munsell said. “Together, these vehicles play an important role in helping WASI fulfill its mission.”

The two grants are part of more than $160 million that the Mat-Su Health Foundation has invested in the community since it became part owner of the Mat-Su Regional Medical Center 19 years ago. In the case of WASI, that funding helps bridge the gap between the increasing cost of operations and the need to keep services accessible and affordable for seniors.

“Grant funding is critically important to the operation of our centers and the services WASI provides throughout the Mat-Su Valley. It allows us to maintain and expand essential programs and improve facilities to better serve older adults,” Munsell said. “The Mat-Su Health Foundation plays a vital role in strengthening the entire community. Without their support, many essential programs and improvements would be difficult to sustain.”

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https://wasillaseniors.com